Kyogo helped put Celtic back in command of the Premiership title race as his stunning strike ensured Brendan Rodgers’ side head into the new year on a derby high.Philippe Clement’s first defeat as Ibrox boss was sealed by the Japanese ace just after halt-time. They had already fallen behind to a fiercely-struck opener from Paulo Bernardo midway through the first half. The bad news continued to pile high on the Light Blues when Leon Balogun was sent off with 20 minutes left.
Clement was boosted by the return of Connor Goldson from injury but Rodgers wasn’t so lucky as Cameron Carter-Vickers sat out the second showdown of the teams this season with the injury he picked up during Celts’ Boxing Day win at Dundee.
That left the Champions having to pair Liam Scales with Stephen Walsh at the centre of defence. If that was cause for concern for the Parkhead faithful, there was better news with Reo Hatate and Liel Abada back on the bench for the first time after their long-term lay-offs.
Jack Butland was forced into first save of the game as he pushes a Kyogo effort behind after the Japanese ace took aim from a tight angle. At the other end ball wouldn’t sit for Todd Cantwell as Ross McCausland’s dangerous cross broke for the Rangers playmaker.
But it was Celtic who came close again as Bernardo flicked a header wide from Luis Palma’s ball into the box. Alistair Johnston’s crude trip on Abdallah Sima earned the Canadian the game’s first booking but Rangers could do nothing with a promising free-kick.
The home support thought they had the opener as McCausland was stripped of possession deep in his own half but Bernardo’s zinger ruffled the wrong side of the netting. But that was just a sighter for the Portuguese ace and he soon rammed his side ahead with a stunning strike 25 minutes in.
Sima didn’t do enough with his clearing header from Palma’s out-swinging corner and was made to regret it as the on-loan Benfica forward lashed it back with interest past a helpless Butland.
Cyriel Dessers had a golden chance to hit back immediately as the Rangers striker pounced on a slack Johnston pass but couldn’t make his mind up as he burst through and inexplicably ran the ball straight into the grateful grasp of Joe Hart.
The right-back wasn’t the only man in hoops guilty of gifting possession as Gers were continually invited on. It took another Hart save to to rescue one such situation as McCausland fired low. But the moment of controversy came before the break when VAR gave Johnston the benefit of the doubt over a contentious handball claim after he appeared to slap the ball out of play.
Gers were still feeling hard done by when they emerged from the tunnel. But they were really feeling sorry for themselves two minutes after the restart as Celtic doubled their lead. Kyogo still had plenty to do as he collected a Matt O’Riley pass on the edge of the Gers box but with a shake of his hips he gave caught Connor Goldson flatfooted as he swept a sublime finish past the despairing Butland.
The jubilant Celtic crowd were in party mood, turning round from their huddle routine to ironically cheer a Dessers effort that only troubled the side netting. And they were off their feet again with 20 minutes left to wave Balogun on his way after the Nigerian defender’s gaff earned him a straight red card.
A heavy touch as he collected a Goldson pass looked set to put Daizan Maeda clean through on Butland. In his desperation to recover that mistake, Balogun bundled the Japanese ace to the ground, leaving Nick Welsh with no choice but to reach for his top pocket. Some nerves were introduced to proceedings for the home side with two minutes left when James Tavernier whipped home a fabulous free-kick.
But the champions held firm through 10 minutes of stoppage time to secure a massive win. Here’s five talking points from Parkhead:
No sweet 16 for Phil
It’s been a near flawless start from Rangers’ new Belgian boss. His first 15 games have brought a trophy, qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League and renewed faith that this Gers team can challenge for the title. They arrived at Parkhead five points back on their rivals but with two games in hand. They now leave eight behind after seeing Clement’s unbeaten start ended. And it’s a result that will only underline what the former Club Brugge and Monaco gaffer already knows, that this side requires significant upgrades if they are to turn what still remains a promising start into lasting success. A deflating day then for Clement but one that will leave Brendan Rodgers with a satisfied smile as he stares down his critics. It’s been a rocky return for the Northern Irishman to the club amid grumbles over their laboured playing style and a lack of progress in Europe. But for the second time this season, he has seen off the challenge of Rangers amid testing circumstances. With another injury crisis at the back, he was forced to turn to Stephen Welsh to partner Liam Scales. Welsh only last 35 minutes before being forced off with a shoulder injury but Maik Nawrocki came onto see Celtic through to what might just be a huge victory in the race for title silver.
Clinical Kyogo
The big question among the Celtic support in recent weeks has been what has happened to last season’s 35-goal hitman. Under Ange Postecoglou, the Japanese striker was a constant menace in opposition penalty boxes. This term, his name hasn’t been seen anywhere nearly as often on the scoresheet. The lull in form has been put down to the change in approach under Brendan Rodgers but he looks like he’s back to his best after contouring a sumptuous finish to double Paulo Bernardo’s stunning opener. It’s now two goals in the last three games and 10 for the season in total for Kyogo and Rodgers will hope his main man can keep it up and Celtic look to cement their leas in the second half of the season.
Dithering Dessers
It was a day when Rangers could not afford to leave with regrets. But you can bet their supporters will be going to sleep with images of Cyriel Dessers racing through on goal flashing through their mindseye. It came just moments after Bernardo’s opener.
All the Nigerian striker had to do was stick the ball past Joe Hart and he’d have fired his side level. But for the umpteenth time this season, the man who cost £4.5million this summer couldn’t sort his fumbling feet and simply ran the ball into Hart’s hands. It was a huge moment in the game but the question is how costly will it be in the long run this term?
The on-going ticket rammy between the clubs meant Parkhead was again bare of Bluenoses with the Rangers support locked out. The Light Blues faithful did their bit to inspire their side with a raucous pyro party outside Ibrox’s front door as they cheered Clement and his side onto their bus. The welcome at a snowbound Celtic Park wasn’t anywhere near as warm, with a packed out green cauldron creating a deafening roar as the teams emerged from the tunnel. But that was nothing on the thunderous crack that followed Bernardo’s stunning opener midway through the first period. The goal sent the home support wild – but the Green Brigade might have reason to regret their loss of control amid the mayhem. The ultras group are on a best behaviour warning after yet another fall-out with the Parkhead powers but they had cops and stewards racing in in a panic when a significant number crashed through the barriers and ended up pitch side as they leapt to join Bernardo. Order was soon restored but the group will have to hope Celtic chiefs don’t take a dim view of these antics.
Penalty shift
The pre-match squabbling between the fans has centred on all matters spot kicks. The Hoops support continue to claim conspiracy over Rangers’ remarkable run of 72 Premiership games without conceding a penalty. The Gers fans reckon something isn’t quite right either about the fact they’ve gone 13 years since winning one at Celtic Park.
They were arguing their long wait should have been ended just before half-time. VAR took it’s time studying a big handball claim when Alastair Johnston appeared to slap the ball out of Abdallah Sima’s reach and out of play. It looked fairly obvious so why no pen? Turns out the Rangers wideman was offside in the build up so the spot-kick appeal became a mute point. That should settle the argument? Don’t bet on it!
GET MORE NEWS HERE